LINK streetscapes: Main Street in Covington Powered by Duke Energy

BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

Earlier this year I visited Main Street in Covington, focusing on the latter half. Since then, I’ve had a flood of suggestions and these three spots are always among those. For this streetscapes, come with me to a morning on Main Street for all things breakfast and coffee.

Cedar: 701 Main St.

The concept at Cedar is simple: They want to serve “one hour vacations to our guests,” and as all vacations should begin, I started with a mimosa. Although they have boozy coffee, bloody Marys and just about any cocktail you can think of, there really is something about a mimosa with brunch that just feels right.

Cedar isn’t a simple breakfast diner. They serve unique, flavorful and filling meals I wouldn’t even begin to know how to cook at home.

I opted for the Hangover, a house-made breakfast bowl of potatoes, chorizo, avocado, sunny eggs, crema, cilantro, jalapeño, and house pico, which paired perfectly with my mimosa. I was expecting a meal this hearty to be greasy, but the addition of pico and avocado not only added flavor, it added a lightness to the meal that I’ve never had in a breakfast bowl before.

For those seeking comfort in their morning meal, Cedar offers a biscuit bowl, featuring buttermilk biscuits made in-house, chorizo lamb sausage gravy, fried egg, and green onion. For a Southern classic, reach for their chicken and waffles. This dish offers a fried chicken thigh and a candied bacon waffle, served with Nashville hot honey syrup and two slices of candied bacon.

With a gorgeous interior and kind staff, it’s clear why Cedar fills up quickly. Guests can grab drinks at the bar while they wait, and pass the time on their patio tables during warmer weather.

Bean Haus: 640 Main St.

As long as it isn’t snowing out, I will be ordering an iced coffee. While waiting at Cedar, I saw someone leaving Bean Haus with one of the largest coffees I have ever seen. Someone had a coffee that was literally served in a soup bowl, and I almost changed my order but wasn’t sure if I could handle all that caffeine.

I ordered an iced pumpkin spice latte, a controversial classic. The pumpkin was the perfect mix of sweet to complement bold coffee. I mentioned I will always order an iced coffee unless it’s snowing, and the same goes for sitting outside. We sat on the patio and people-watched on a busy Sunday morning, where we saw soup bowl sized coffee, pastries and sandwiches being brought outside to other patrons braving the cold.

As much as I love my iced coffee, I made a trip back inside to have one of these giant hot coffees and maybe a pastry or two.

Mama’s on Main: 621 Main St.

Everyone has been talking about Mama’s. Like most of NKY, I have been desperately trying to get a reservation here for their authentic Italian cuisine. A friend of mine suggested I visit them on weekends for Mama’s mornings, when they serve coffee and pastries.

I have attempted to come here twice, and the first time they were completely sold out, but I met the most fabulous man in pajamas who suggested I come even earlier next time. He said there would probably be a line out the door before they open. You’ll never find me in a line for a club or bar, but I will wait hours for a coffee and croissant. The second visit there was a line, but to me that was good news. It meant there were warm pastries and coffee waiting for me inside.

I stocked up on some pastries that are well worth an Instagram post. I will eventually make it for their famous pesto and marinated olives, but until then at least I have their fresh baked pastries to give me a little Italian experience.

Mama’s on Main serves pastry and espresso Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until pastries sell out.

For those interested in their evening service, inspired by classic New York Italian eateries, Mama’s is open Tuesday through Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m.

And for anyone who can’t get through the door of this popular restaurant, they regularly tease appetites on Instagram, found at @Mamas_Mornings and @Mamas621Cov.

Have a street, city or business you want me to check out next? Email me at mchehman@gmail.com and it could be featured on the next installment of LINK streetscapes.

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NewCath holds on for state quarterfinal win at Kentucky Country Day

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds held on for a 28-21 victory over the host Kentucky Country Day Bearcats to advance to the Class 1A state semifinals for the second time in three years.

The Thoroughbreds came out on fire, scoring on their first three possessions and maintaining the lead throughout the game. NewCath senior running back Luke Runyon led the way scoring all four touchdowns – three rushing and one receiving.

KCD (9-3) could not stop Runyon on the jet sweeps in the first quarter allowing the Thoroughbreds (11-2) to build a 21-0 lead. Runyon ran behind his offensive line scoring on touchdown runs of 23, 59 and two yards and senior Ryan Barth hit the three point after touchdown kicks giving NewCath that lead with 2:35 left in the first quarter.

The Thorougbreds stifled KCD’s running game, forcing them to pass the ball. KCD scored its first touchdown with 7:28 left in the first half. The Bearcats drove to the NewCath one yard line on their next possession on a 47-yard pass, but an interception stopped the drive.

In the fourth quarter, after NewCath was held on fourth down at its 22 yard line, the Thoroughbreds decided to punt. The Bearcats scored on their next possession when junior quarterback Ethan Harris found senior wide receiver Dylan Keene for a six-yard touchdown with six minutes left in the game.

After recovering an onside kick, NewCath had a touchdown run called back on a holding penalty. After a punt gave KCD the ball back with 3:59 left, the Bearcats threw three straight incompletions. After a punt, NewCath earned a first down and ran out the clock to secure a spot in the state semifinals.

NKU volleyball falls short in Horizon League championship game

defeated run through the Horizon League regular season and tournament in three years.

Both teams made 16 hitting errors. But Wright State had 131 attempts to 109 for Northern Kentucky resulting in 49 kills to 34 for the visitors and hitting percentages of .252 and .165 respectively. Fifth-year senior libero and the Horizon League Tournament Most Valuable Player Jenna Story made the difference for Wright State with 19 digs.

“The atmosphere was crazy. It was a huge stage,” said Liz Hart, NKU head coach. “Once we got into rhythm, we were able to get some things going. Wright State has five solid hitters and you can’t forget Jenna Story in the back.”

Northern Kentucky had 53 digs, 34 assists, one ace and nine blocks to 48 digs, 45 assists, six aces and seven blocks for Wright State. Graduate student outside hitter Anna Brinkmann and middle blocker Abby Kanakry made the all-tournament team. Brinkmann had 13 digs, one ace and seven kills with Kanakry recording 10 kills and two blocks.

16 points each. Turner made all eight freethrow attempts and added five rebounds with Duvall adding four rebounds and two assists in her fourth double-digit scoring game of the season.

They had a lot of help as nine different Norse scored. Sophomore guard Khamari Mitchell-Steen had eight points, five rebounds and two assists and sophomore guard Kailee Davis had seven points, four assists and two steals.

The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team has consistently been in contention for the league championship since entering the Horizon League in 2015.

The Norse (18-13) headed north Sunday hoping to bring home the gold after losing in the title game to the University of Illinois at Chicago last year. NKU gave a good effort, but could not stop the run of the rival Wright State Raiders in a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-23) loss. Wright State (28-3) has won 23 games in a row completing a second un-

NKU women’s basketball routs Tennessee Tech

The Northern Kentucky women’s basketball team (3-1 overall) scored the game’s first 19 points and never looked back in a 75-53 win over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (3-2) on Sunday at Truist Arena.

Tennessee Tech could not stop the duo of graduate student guard Lindsey Duvall and senior guard Ivy Turner, who scored

NKU made 25 of 55 shots for 46 percent including 4 of 16 from three-point land for 25 percent and an impressive 21 of 26 free throws for 81 percent. Tennessee Tech made 19 of 50 shots for 38 percent including just 1 of 9 from three-point land for 11 percent and 14 of 20 free throws for 70 percent. The Norse had 16 points off 17 Golden Eagle turnovers and had 15 second-chance points to none for Tennessee Tech.

Northern Kentucky led 24-7 after one quarter and 44-24 at halftime. The Norse outscored the Golden Eagles, 13-10 in the final quarter after Tennessee Tech won the third quarter, 19-18.